Between by Clarissa Johal

Author:Clarissa Johal
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Published: 2012-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The veterinary hospital had been slow all day. At lunchtime, Lucinda decided to take Darwin for a walk to the sandwich shop and returned to a voice message from Mr. Anderson that Marny’s condition hadn’t changed. It left her simultaneously heartened and disheartened. Resolving to visit her friend that evening, she spent the rest of the day struggling not to let her overtired mind wander out the door.

“Ted and I wanted to invite you over for dinner tonight.” Joan gave an exam table a final wipe down before closing time. “I meant to ask you sooner. Do you have plans?”

“Tonight?”

“You and Darwin, actually.”

Lucinda gave her a confused frown.

“Actually—” Joan shrugged, resigned “—I’ve been talking to Ted about getting a dog. Darwin is so sweet, I thought we could use him as a test run.”

Lucinda laughed. “With your huge backyard and barn? Darwin would love that.”

“The dinner invite still stands, of course.”

They continued into the back kennels to where Darwin sat in his cage, wriggling with anticipation.

“Well, I wanted to visit Marny this evening.”

“I can keep Darwin overnight, Lucinda. I’d let him sleep on the bed.” She chuckled. “Ted won’t mind.”

“You’re going to spoil him so he won’t want to come home, Joan.” Lucinda opened the cage and ruffled his ears. “He’s supposed to sleep on his dog bed at home, though he hasn’t lately.”

“I’ll drop him off at your place tomorrow morning. Tell you what, after I drop him off, I’ll come in and do the checks for the day. You don’t have any appointments.”

“Are you sure? You guys aren’t planning anything?”

“Nothing. President’s Day weekend is just another weekend to us.”

“That would make things easier. I could spend more time with Marny. Deal. Call me if there’s an emergency though.” She clicked the leash onto his collar. “And if he gives you any trouble, or Ted gives you any trouble, give me a call.”

“It’ll be fine. Ted just needs a gentle push. He likes dogs but never had one growing up. His parents were cat lovers.” She followed Lucinda to the front door. “Give Marny our love. We were going to visit her this weekend.”

Lucinda gave Darwin a final hug and watched as Joan loaded him into her truck. She picked up the phone and dialed the hospital.

“Room forty-nine please.” Pause. “Mr. Anderson? How is she doing?”

“She is sleeping. Her mother and I were going to leave her to rest for a while. I think we are keeping her awake.”

“Oh. I was going to drop by tonight. Maybe I should stop by tomorrow instead.”

“I think that would be best.”

“Okay, have a good evening, then. ’Bye.” She hung up the phone and slipped on her coat.

Lucinda rode her bicycle home, heeding a sudden pull to take an alternate route. The wind scraped her cheeks as she rode on, lost in thought. Past the edge of town, she hit fields and found herself veering down a dirt foot path which led toward an old church. Crows took off from the surrounding fields, complaining loudly of the intrusion.

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